Fish taco, little taco, crunchy taco, spicy taco — this is one food that is muy buena in all shapes and sizes.
The tacos at Cornice Cantina are notable for their huge chunks of perfectly seasoned meat. One order comes with two tacos, with your choice of lime chicken, carnitas, or carne asada. I can never narrow it down to two, so I usually pick the lot and order the triple lindy ($9.50). Each taco is served in a small flour tortilla with jack cheese, romaine lettuce, and a house-made pico de gallo. A handful of tortilla chips are served on the side with the Cantina’s signature cilantro sauce. ¡Está delicioso! Open daily 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. Info: 1725 Squaw Loop Road, Olympic Valley, (530) 452-4362 ~ Julie Brown
As spicy as the yellow walls inside this downtown Truckee taqueria, the tacos at Diego’s are pure and simple genius — and they only cost a buck-fifty each. Served on two little corn tortillas, you can choose between a variety of meats including grilled chicken, carne asada, al pastor, or marinated pork, carnitas, or adobo chicken ($1.50). Or, since these little guys are almost bite-size, order one of each. Each taco is sprinkled with a bit of cilantro and chopped onion and comes with a house-made salsa. Add a little Tapatio for some extra spice, and you’re mouth will catch fire. On Taco Tuesdays, tacos are only a $1. Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Info: 10130 West River Street, Truckee, (530) 550-9900 ~ Julie Brown
Heaping with whole black beans, rice, shredded lettuce, and mild guacamole on top of melted cheese plus two white corn tortillas, the veggie taco ($2.75) at T’s Mesquite Rotisserie in Incline Village keeps me coming back for more. What T’s lacks in decor, it makes up for in flavor. I especially like to mix the three salsas: a mild, fresh pico de gallo relish, a green tomato, jalapeno ‘medium’ blend sweetened with rice vinegar, and a splash of the holy-moly-this-is-hot red salsa that sets your mouth on fire. T’s is the perfect destination for my taco-and-a-beer cravings, and it’s a favorite takeout option for lakeside picnics. Open daily 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Info: 901 Tahoe Boulevard, Incline Village, (775) 831-2832 ~ Nicole Cheslock
